By Ibrahim Karim Bangura (TANKO)

Sand mining is the extraction of sand, mainly through an open pit (or sand pit) but sometimes mined from beaches and inland dunes or dredged from ocean and river beds. Sand is often used in manufacturing, for example as an abrasive or in concrete. It is also used on icy and snowy roads usually mixed with salt, to lower the melting point temperature, on the road surface. Sand can replace eroded coastline. Some uses require higher purity than others; for example sand used in concrete must be free of seashell fragments.

Sand mining presents opportunities to extract rutile, limonite, and zircon, which contain the industrially useful elements titanium and zirconium. Besides these minerals, beach sand may also contain garnet, leucoxene, sillimanite, and monazite.

These minerals are often found in ordinary sand deposits. A process known as elutriation is used, whereby flowing water separates the grains based on their size, shape, and density.

Sand mining is a direct cause of erosion, and impacts the local wildlife. Various animals depend on sandy beaches for nesting clutches, and mining has led to the near extinction of gharials (a species of crocodile) in India. Disturbance of underwater and coastal sand causes turbidity in the water, which is harmful for organisms like coral that need sunlight. It can also destroy fisheries, financially harming their operators.

Removal of physical coastal barriers, such as dunes, sometimes leads to flooding of beachside communities, and the destruction of picturesque beaches causes tourism to dissipate. Sand mining is regulated by law in many places, but is often done illegally. Globally, it is a $70 billion industry, with sand selling at up to per cubic yard.

But, Mahera Beach Community in Lungi is presently facing the worst case scenario over the years due to illegal mining activities.

Speaking to this medium, Ibrahim Barrie, Station Manager of Sea Coach Express at Lungi has expressed his disappointment regarding the ongoing illegal sand mining in the community. “We have made several complains to government and decision making bodies, stakeholders and Environmental Protection Agency Sierra Leone (EPA-SL) but to no avail. Our business is presently prior to disaster due to the illegal sand mining process.” he said.

According to the Youth Chairman of Mahera Beach Community, Alpha Conteh aka Base Man said that, they are unhappy and displeased with the current situation of the beach, adding that government and other line Ministries must come to their aid. “The illegal sand mining must stop now, our homes are at stake, our properties are under siege, our families are totally panic. The unprecedented issue is highly unfortunate. We are fed up with the ongoing delay of our stakeholders in Lungi, in a bid to stop the pending crisis. We will live with no option, but to stage a massive demonstration in the upcoming days.” he confirmed.

However, all efforts have been made to reach the Chairman of Tipper Ground at Masoila, Lungi but no response.

The Honorable Member of Parliament for Constituency 077, Abdul Kargbo met with the aggressive community and calmed them with great hopes and positive outcome within the next few days, in other to protect their environment against man-made disaster causing endless challenges for the People in order to make ends meet.